University of Pennsylvania ScholarlyCommons Social Impact Research Experience (SIRE) Wharton Undergraduate Research 10-31-2019 The Integration of Blockchain Technology to the Beef Industry – A Comparative Analysis Cole N. Hancock University of Pennsylvania Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.upenn.edu/sire Part of the Agribusiness Commons, Agricultural Economics Commons, Beef Science Commons, E- Commerce Commons, Food Processing Commons, Food Security Commons, Food Studies Commons, Meat Science Commons, Operations and Supply Chain Management Commons, and the Technology and Innovation Commons Hancock, Cole N., "The Integration of Blockchain Technology to the Beef Industry – A Comparative Analysis" (2019). Social Impact Research Experience (SIRE). 71. https://repository.upenn.edu/sire/71 This paper is posted at ScholarlyCommons. https://repository.upenn.edu/sire/71 For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Integration of Blockchain Technology to the Beef Industry – A Comparative Analysis Abstract This paper seeks to explore the different plausible and implemented applications of blockchain technology in the beef industry in two representative markets: The United States and Kenya. Previous papers discuss implementation of blockchain to the beef industry, without a focus on the variations between beef industries and supply chains in various countries, a gap this paper aims to address. The main method of research has been primary, traveling to these countries and engaging in conversations with various stakeholders about their industry’s supply chain and the problems and opportunities therein. Overall this paper finds that the integration of blockchain to the beef industry is broadly advisable, but that the most pragmatic and achievable uses and means of blockchain integration vary widely based on the stage of development and regulatory environment of different country’s beef industries. Keywords blockchain, beef industry, cattle industry, supply chain optimization, supply chain transparency, meat industry, food traceability, ranching, agribusiness Disciplines Agribusiness | Agricultural and Resource Economics | Agricultural Economics | Beef Science | Business | E-Commerce | Food Processing | Food Security | Food Studies | Meat Science | Operations and Supply Chain Management | Technology and Innovation This working paper is available at ScholarlyCommons: https://repository.upenn.edu/sire/71 The Integration of Blockchain Technology to the Beef Industry – A Comparative Analysis Cole Hancock (W’21, C’21) Professor Marshal Fisher The Wharton School Abstract This paper seeks to explore the different plausible and implemented applications of blockchain technology in the beef industry in two representative markets: The United States and Kenya. Previous papers discuss implementation of blockchain to the beef industry, without a focus on the variations between beef industries and supply chains in various countries, a gap this paper aims to address. The main method of research has been primary, traveling to these countries and engaging in conversations with various stakeholders about their industry’s supply chain and the problems and opportunities therein. Overall this paper finds that the integration of blockchain to the beef industry is broadly advisable, but that the most pragmatic and achievable uses and means of blockchain integration vary widely based on the stage of development and regulatory environment of different country’s beef industries. Keywords: blockchain, beef industry, cattle industry, supply chain optimization, supply chain transparency, meat industry, food traceability, ranching, agribusiness 2 Table of Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................. 2 Keywords: ............................................................................................................................. 2 Introduction: ......................................................................................................................... 5 Importance of the Topic................................................................................................................5 Research Goal ...............................................................................................................................5 Outline ..........................................................................................................................................6 Blockchain ............................................................................................................................ 6 Overview and History ...................................................................................................................7 Various Applications of Blockchain Technology ...........................................................................7 Limitations and Restrictions .........................................................................................................8 Mobile Devices and Internet ................................................................................................................................ 9 Proprietary Information ........................................................................................................................................ 9 Ear Tags ................................................................................................................................................................ 9 Data entry ........................................................................................................................................................... 10 Beef Industry Overviews ...................................................................................................... 10 The Kenyan Beef Industry ................................................................................................... 11 Overview .................................................................................................................................... 11 Supply Chain Overview .............................................................................................................. 12 Breeding ............................................................................................................................................................. 12 Raising of Cattle ................................................................................................................................................. 12 Sale of Live Cattle .............................................................................................................................................. 13 Transportation ..................................................................................................................................................... 14 Slaughter ............................................................................................................................................................. 14 Final Sale ............................................................................................................................................................ 15 Regulatory Environment ............................................................................................................ 16 Problems ..................................................................................................................................... 17 Ownership Records ............................................................................................................................................ 17 Food Safety ......................................................................................................................................................... 18 Price Transparency ............................................................................................................................................. 20 Current Blockchain for the Beef Industry Interest ..................................................................... 20 The US Beef Industry .......................................................................................................... 21 Overview .................................................................................................................................... 21 Supply Chain Overview .............................................................................................................. 22 Regulatory Environment ............................................................................................................ 24 Problems ..................................................................................................................................... 25 Food Safety ......................................................................................................................................................... 25 Contract Execution ............................................................................................................................................. 26 Information Sharing ............................................................................................................................................ 26 3 Current Blockchain Initiatives .................................................................................................... 27 Overview of Findings..........................................................................................................